Breeding Pigs

Breeding Herd:

The breeding/gestating wing you are in consists of four areas: Group-housed sows, stall-housed sows, boars and a semen collection and processing laboratory.

Gestating sows (that’s what we call the pregnant sow) are often called dry sows because they are not nursing a litter.

This farm is unique as the breeding herd is housed in two different ways: group housing and individual gestation stall. We can best compare and study the two systems by having them both in one barn.

The gestating or “dry” sow is the largest portion of the breeding herd. At any point in time, approximately 80% of the sows will be housed in the gestation area.

Boars:

Male pigs or boars are housed individually. Typically, a farm has one boar for every twenty sows in the herd. Today, many farms use artificial insemination to bring the best genetics into their barn.

Smell has a big role to play in pig courtship. During mating the male pig (boar) gives off a tantalizing perfume-like odour that excites the female (sow) and stimulates her hormonal system.

Boar mouth “frothing” releases hormones that stimulate the female at mating time.

Annie Hogg tells us…
“My dad says that the smellier and uglier the boar is, the more the sow likes him.”

Gestating in Groups:

Modern group housing allows animals to be in groups so they can socialize and have additional freedom of movement. Much like people, sows can be aggressive and more timid sows need the means to get away. This system uses an Electronic Sow Feeder (ESF).

The electronic identification system used here provided each sow with an individual tag to allow her to go into the individual feeding station, giving her safe and undisturbed access to the amount and type of diet required for her state of pregnancy and body condition.

In addition to feeding, the system also electronically records all feed fed to each sow and has the ability to automatically separate a sow from the rest of the herd, and spraying a marker on selected sows for easy identification by the stockperson.

Pen Usage:

You will see three distinct areas maintained by the sows. The farthest point is the sleeping area made of solid concrete with hot water piping under the floor for sow comfort. In the middle, a slatted area for exercise, water, dunging and accessing the feeder. Just under the window is the feeding area with the electronic sow feeder.

Shirley Hogg remarks…
“Keeping sow pens clean isn’t always simple…but it is easier than getting Junior to keep his room clean.”

Gestation in Stalls:

Stalls are the most common way sows are housed on farms today. Sows are moved to their own stall after breeding.

Sows can lie down, stand up or sit, and walk a few steps forward and backward in these stalls. Stalls provide a less stressful environment in the early stages of pregnancy compared to housing in groups.

Farmers can easily examine the sow and give her individual treatment in stalls. Notice that some stalls are wider than others to accommodate the sow as she grows larger. There are four different stall width used in this penning design.

George Hogg informs us…
“The sow will be pregnant for three months, three weeks and three days or 115 days.”

Automated Feed Delivery:

The automated sow feeding system provided the sow’s individual nutritional needs once a day and water is available at all times.

The stockperson provides daily care including monitoring each sow for health, body condition and appetite.